California Water Policy will be presented as a live event by the California Arts and Sciences Institute on June 25, 2026 at 430 pm. Two top experts on California water will discuss the topic at the Carmel Barnyard, moderated by nationally syndicated broadcaster Edward King. You will learn how our water can become more plentiful and less expensive, and how we can communicate with our legislators and Board of Supervisors on our best policy forward

Major factors addressed will be:

Debunking the myth that California is short on precipitation. In fact, for decades the state has been in receipt of abundant rain and snow and actually wastes 84 percent of all precipitation due to poor water management

Discussing the most fruitful avenues of water storage: reservoirs, aquifers and side channel storage.

Citing key California water projects that have been funded but are not proceeding.

Evaluating potential of desalination to create more water abundance.

Citing the importance of keeping enough water in our reservoirs in order to fight wildfires; for example, an empty reservoir was a major cause of the Palisades wildfire spread

Relating water abundance to the ability to build more housing and improve outcomes for our farmers.

Water expert Edward Ring has written volumes on the above issues and will bring a wealth of historic facts and ways we can remedy the state’s ongoing poor direction in water management. Note that the state has not built a single major water project in the last fifty years, while population has skyrocketed. Physicist Michael Hogan will present data on where the water goes and specific projects for enhancing water abundance, as well as address water quality issues. Both will discuss the ways we can address ecological needs such as habitat and species protection, while creating pathways to more efficient water storage and abundance.

The event will take place at 4:30 pm on June 25th at the Carmel Barnyard. Complimentary non alcoholic beverages and appetizers will be served. Registration and other event details can be found at https.//casicalifornia.org – The two largest water reservoirs in the Central Coatal California region are Lake Nacimiento and Lake San Antonio. Both are owned and operated by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA). Interestingly, while Lake Nacimiento is located just across the border in northern San Luis Obispo County, Monterey County holds the water rights and manages the facility.

Complimentary appetizers and non alcoholic beverages will be served.

Cost: $20 per person